All over Norway flags are on half mast, there are masses of people laying down flowers in front of the Royal Palace, and most media outlets have black backgrounds and articles about the royals. To someone not living in Norway, it may seem a bit overblown – why do we mourn a monarch with no power, who died at the age of 89?

The answer is simply that the role of the royals in Norway is to be a force of inclusion and continuity, and King Harald managed to do that like no other. There are many examples of this, but what sticks in my mind is a speech he gave in the palace garden ten years ago, for guests from all over the country. The complete, translated text is below the fold, but some words have stuck in people’s mind – and mine as well. In particular, these words tend to be repeated:

“Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other. Norwegians believe in God, Allah, Everything and Nothing.
[…]
In other words: Norway is you. Norway is us.”

Imagine that from a then 79 year old supreme military commander with a very conservative upbringing and extremely privileged life experience.

Most people in Norway prefer the monarchy, and those who are republicans (i.e., would prefer Norway to be a republic) tend to say that Harald has made it very difficult to argue for that in practice, if not in principle. He simply was a man that kept people together.

So, from me and from everyone I know, rest in peace and thanks for a job well done.

PS: The new King shows all signs of carrying on like his father. I think we’ll have a monarchy in Norway for a good many years yet.

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The full speech (from Aftenposten):

President of the Storting,
Prime Minister,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,

After many years of traveling around most of the country, it is very nice to be hosting representatives from all over Norway!

A warm welcome to us, everyone!

Those of you gathered here represent the breadth of what Norway is today.
So what is Norway?

Norway is high mountains and deep fjords. It is plateaus and archipelagos, islands and islets. It is lush fields and soft heaths.

The sea hits the country from the north, west and south.

Norway is a place of midnight sun and darkness. There are both harsh and mild winters. There are both warm and cold summers.

Norway is elongated and sparsely populated.

But Norway is above all people.

Norwegians are northerners, Trøndelagers, southerners – and people from all the other regions.

Norwegians have also immigrated from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Poland, Sweden, Somalia and Syria. My grandparents immigrated from Denmark and England 110 years ago.

It’s not always easy to say where we are from, what nationality we belong to. What we call home is where our heart is – and it can’t always be placed within national borders.

Norwegians are young and old, tall and short, able-bodied and wheelchair users. More and more people are over a hundred years old. Norwegians are rich, poor and somewhere in between. Norwegians like football and handball, climb mountains and sail – while others are most happy on the couch.

Some people have good self-confidence, while others struggle to believe that they are good enough as they are.

Norwegians work in stores, in hospitals, on oil platforms. Norwegians work to keep us safe, work to keep the country clean of garbage, and look for new solutions for a green future. Norwegians cultivate the land and fish. Norwegians do research and teach.

Norwegians are committed young people and experienced old people. Norwegians are single, divorced, families with children and old couples. Norwegians are girls who love girls, boys who love boys, and girls and boys who love each other.

Norwegians believe in God, Allah, Everything and Nothing.

Norwegians like Grieg and Kygo, Hellbillies and Kari Bremnes.

In other words: Norway is you.

Norway is us.

When we sing “Yes, we love this country”, we should remember that we are also singing about each other. Because we are what make up the country. Therefore, our national anthem is also a declaration of love to the Norwegian people.

My greatest hope for Norway is that we will be able to take care of each other.

That we will continue to build this country – on trust, community and generosity.

That we should know that we – despite all our differences – are one people.

That Norway is one.